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Written Answer by Mr Lim Swee Say Minister for Manpower on causes and prevention of amputation

Workplace safety and health

NOTICE PAPER NO. 829 OF 2017 FOR THE SITTING ON 11 SEPTEMBER 2017

QUESTION NO. 1437 FOR ORAL ANSWER

MP: Mr Melvin Yong Yik Chye

To ask the Minister for Manpower (a) what is the number of amputation cases due to workplace accidents in the 2past three years; (b) what are the main causes for such cases; and (c) what are the measures taken by the Ministry to reduce the number of such cases.

Answer

  1. In the past three years, there were 389 amputation cases due to workplace accidents, comprising 129 cases in 2014, 117 in 2015, and 143 in 2016. In the first half of 2017, there were 57 cases. More than 70% of these cases involved the use of industrial machines and tools.
  2. There are three main causes for such accidents. Firstly, the lack of machine guards or safety design in machines. Secondly, employers’ failure to put in place adequate safe work procedure. Thirdly, individuals’ failure to follow procedures due to ignorance or disregard for safety.
  3. To improve the situation, MOM has adopted a more targeted enforcement operation on machinery safety at workplaces with industrial machines. The inspections will check on machine guards and safety design, as well as companies’ procedures for safe machine operation, in addition to other common safety breaches. 
  4. MOM, the Workplace Safety and Health (WSH) Council and the WSH Institute have also stepped up engagement efforts. We organize solutioning sessions and seminars on preventing amputations with our tripartite partners, The Council will also produce and disseminate videos on safe machinery. This adds to the suite of materials, including guidelines, case studies, safety cards, and safety posters, that are already available on the WSH Council website.